Nick Hannes

On Dec. 7, 1988, an earthquake devastated much of northern Armenia, killing at least 25,000 people. Several hundred thousand more were made homeless and the local economy was paralyzed. Humanitarian organizations brought tents and emergency help. The Soviet government, beginning to suffer under dramatic economic troubles, provided temporary-living containers and promised new housing.

Andijan is a conservative city, with a homogeneous ethnic Uzbek population and few Russians. Coming out with uncovered legs or shoulders, will generate disapproving looks. Most women wear a headscarf and a long traditional dress. Some are completely covered, the face hidden behind a veil.

For most people Mongolia is synonymous with the vast steppe, galloping horses and nomadic felt tents. Reality is less idyllic. In the least populated country of the world, about half of the 2.6 million inhabitants live on the countryside. It's a hard life, where cattle-breeding is the most important, and often the only, source of income.

For more than 20 years Saparmurat "Turkmenbashi" Nyazov ruled Turkmenistan with a tight hand, first as secretary-general of the Communist Party, later as president for life. His authoritarian regime involved a personality cult with divine characteristics.

For most people Mongolia is synonymous with the vast steppe, galloping horses and nomadic felt tents. Reality is less idyllic. In the least populated country of the world, about half of the 2.6 million inhabitants live on the countryside. It's a hard life, where cattle-breeding is the most important, and often the only, source of income.

For more than 20 years Saparmurat "Turkmenbashi" Nyazov ruled Turkmenistan with a tight hand, first as secretary-general of the Communist Party, later as president for life. His authoritarian regime involved a personality cult with divine characteristics.

Andijan is a conservative city, with a homogeneous ethnic Uzbek population and few Russians. Coming out with uncovered legs or shoulders, will generate disapproving looks. Most women wear a headscarf and a long traditional dress. Some are completely covered, the face hidden behind a veil.

On Dec. 7, 1988, an earthquake devastated much of northern Armenia, killing at least 25,000 people. Several hundred thousand more were made homeless and the local economy was paralyzed. Humanitarian organizations brought tents and emergency help. The Soviet government, beginning to suffer under dramatic economic troubles, provided temporary-living containers and promised new housing.